Where is Neda's Vote?

The shocking video and images of martyr and now symbol of freedom and human rights, not only in Iran but the whole world over, Neda Agha Soltan, are ones that bring turmoil into the mind and soul of everyone who views them. I feel shock, grief, anger, responsibility. They are images that will never be forgotten, that stand for so much more than just the horrible act that brought them into being. I don't want to get into politics now, it's just too early in the morning. But justice will be served...one way or the other...be it today, or tomorrow...Neda's voice, which resembles that of so many Iranians, shall not be silenced, but made louder by her passing.

"You can kill the people, but you cannot kill the voice."

Shocking and Not So Shocking

The inevitable finally happened. The parliament is now dissolved. By constitutional means.

The Emir has made a good decision, I believe...He's done his part, and it is now up to us, the people. It's in our hands to try and make change for the better. An end is always followed by a new beginning, so let's stay hopeful. But please, spread awareness about the necessity of making the "right" choice. If the same people end up in that Assembly...God, I wouldn't know what to say...This should be a wake up call. We have to seriously think about what's best, not only for us and for Kuwait now, but for the generations to come.

I'm so excited that I'll be eligible to elect this time around. It'll be my first time.

* * *

On to more shocking news.

I read today that talented actress Natasha Richardson died yesterday, at the age of 45, after suffering from a head injury while skiing. I read that she was hospitalized two days ago but I didn't think she would die. Poor thing. So unexpected. My condolences go to her husband Leam Neeson, her mother Vanessa Redgrave and the rest of her family, and to all her fans. She was a talented actress...

Diary

Hello. I've been feeling quite productive lately. I've been doing stuff instead of just sitting at my laptop all day. I've been reading more, that's one. I finished the second installment to the Twilight saga. I wonder what I'm gonna pick up next. I'm getting an urge to reread Wuthering Heights or Jane Eyre. Something eerie that'll match the strangely windy weather we're suddenly experiencing.

I've made some progress on my research. Nothing noteworthy, but progress nontheless. I hope I go through with it, and I hope it turns out good.

I spent a lot of time in the kitchen today. First I made muffins, with lovely pink frosting. I have to say, they weren't amazing, could have been better, but they were good still. I later made some pasta with a yummy turkey and tomato sauce. My hamsters (aka my wonderful family) could not abstain from commenting on the food. Dad wanted more sauce. Mom and sister said the pasta needed to be cooked more. Brother wanted no sauce at all. Anyway, I had fun, and I thought both dishes tasted fine. If I don't say so myself.

Many houses in town have put up flags and all celebrating the coming National and Liberation days. I felt like I wanted to join in with the celebrations so I made a collage of the Kuwaiti flag to put up somewhere. I cut up old magazines that I have absolutely no use for, and stuck shreds of black, green and red on a white polestirene slab. One that I also had no use for. I felt great afterwards because it looked good and I had recycled stuff that I could have just thrown out.

Last but not least, I got signed up in the elections listings (I'm not sure what they're called exactly.) Basically, you get added to the list of electors so you can vote next elections. If you're Kuwaiti and you're 20 years old, or older and not listed, visit your local police station with a copy of your nationality and civil ID, and get listed. It's easy, it won't take much of your time, and you'll be able to have a say in the future of your country soon.

I hope it's not long till I post again.

You Have The Right

Because it is extremely important for each and every one of us to know what rights we have:



If everyone had all of these things...what kind of world would it be? Would it indeed become a utopia? Or would there still be struggle, hatred, prejudice and discrimination in the world?
Watching the film The Invasion a while back, I began thinking about how alien our world would become if we all got rid of our emotions. Ideally, a human race without emotion would mean that there would be no hatred, no fear, no greed or any other negative emotions that may cause conflict and war. But wouldn't that also get rid of happiness, love and all the other beautiful stuff we feel as well? Sure, we'd be a peaceful race but there wouldn't be any difference between us and, say, a bunch of vegetables...
Still...I'm not saying I'm against the universal declaration of human rights.

Singing in the Rain

I was watching the National Assembly's first meeting today. As usual, they are voting on all the different committees and their members. Something struck me as bizarre and so I just want to comment on the MP's who choose not to vote on any article or committee or whatever they might be asked to vote for/against.

"Mumtani3."(I refuse to vote.)

Who came up with such an option?! What does it tell us when an MP refuses to state their opinion about a certain issue? What's the point of them being in the Assembly if they refuse to vote? They are basically refusing to make a difference, refusing to do their jobs! And what excuse could there be for this kind of behaviour other than the fact that they hope not to displease any party; neither their electors nor their fellow MP's or the governemt. Fear of being blamed for anything that might go wrong later on because of their decision...

If you strive to become a member of parliament, you are expected to have a certain line of thought, and when you get to the "green chair" you are supposed to fight for those beliefs which your electors chose you for (perhaps not in reality, but ideally speaking.) And so you are not doing your job when you sit there and you deny your right, your duty, when the time comes to make the decision.

*Sigh*

On a lighter note, here's a fantastic video for you. It's a commercial for a VW automobile. A remix (by Mint Royale) of the famous "Singing in the Rain" scene in which Gene Kelly is apparantly...poppin' it! Enjoy.

I'm More Dipsy Than Laa-Laa

I know it's been so long. I just felt rather empty...out of words, you know? But I'm back now, so you're going to have to put up with me again :P

A little update on the tennis issue I wrote about here. My dad visited the "hay2a" or the association for youth and sport. He talked to the man in-charge about how we were kicked out of the tennis court, not once but twice, because we were girls. My dad wanted to know if there was anything written that forbid females from playing in these public courts. And it turns out there isn't. The guy said that it was just a "3urf" or a tradition that females don't play sport, and that if anybody associated with the relgious party in the parliament found out that there were females playing on the courts, that these guys would get into trouble.
We are going to play tennis tomorrow, whether they like it or not.
But it hurts to know that this is what it has come down to in Kuwait.

I wanted to review La Vie En Rose, but I'm having second thoughts.